Why? Just ask Euclid. Or Kraftwerk, the 1970s electro-pop pioneers who recently experienced a renaissance of sorts and played sold-out gigs at Tate Modern complete with signature grid bodysuits, suddenly elevated to the realm of high art. After all, no matter what the size, the square’s purity signifies a clean-cut chic and makes ruffles and frippery look extraneous and fussy. Who has the time? For once, it all adds up.

There’s even something suitable for the office; see the silk Sportmax dress with multicoloured squares, or Derek Lam’s madras plaid trouser suit. For a more dressed-down look, opt for a Marc by Marc Jacobs neo-plaid cerise cotton shirt dress.

Should you invest? As Judd Crane, director of womenswear at Selfridges, says: “Squares, checks and plaids are a safer investment than a recognisable print from a particular season – the print loses currency when the designer moves on to something else.” He’s not the only one who thinks so: Burberry Brit’s scooped-neck white tee with grey check print sold out in three weeks at retailer mytheresa.com, says buying director Justin O’Shea. Unsurprisingly, the trend is seeping on to the high street: Topshop Unique has a grey herringbone cube coat for £200, and white-all-over square print jeans by JW Anderson for Topshop (£30); H&M has a black fine-knit jumper with an oversized satin square pattern; and River Island has a black grid print tube dress for a fraction of the price. Check mate.

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Well plaid: Checklist

Prince of Wales The distinctive shadowy check-on-check design was created for Edward VII’s shooting garb but popularised by his son, the Duke of Windsor. As in: elegant tailoring with a regal twist.

Tattersall A sparse, two-colour check, usually on a pale background, that takes its name from the race auctioneers Tattersalls. As in: flannel shirts for the horsey set.

Dogtooth (or houndstooth or puppytooth, depending on size): a broken check made up of jagged graphic shapes, usually in stark black and white. As in: Christian Dior New Look suits.

Madras The bright plaid cotton fabric that takes its name from the English name for Chennai, India, is as loud as checks get. Think: ultra-preppy classics and look-at-me beach shorts.

Gingham A single-colour, overlapping check design that gets its name from the French word guingan. As in: Doris Day’s curtains.